268 Proceedings of the Ohio State Academy of Science. 



herb. In some parts of the island where the plant did not grow, 

 the cattle were said tO' have the usual spleens. 



As stated above, the uses of ferns and fern allies in the 

 household and the arts are insignificant. They are, however, 

 much valued as ornamental plants. The species usually culti- 

 vated belong to the ordinary ferns and selaginellas. The Male 

 Fern, Dryopteris filix-mas is officinal. It is an anthelmintic 

 which is considered especially effective in removing tape-worms. 

 It is not found in Ohio, but our Dryopteris marginalis is used in 

 the same way as a taenifuge. Equisetum arvense is supposed 

 to be injurious to horses, at least when in the form of hay. 

 Pteridium aquilinum is supposed to be injurious tO' cattle and 

 horses. Some of the scouring rushes, like Equisetum hyemale, 

 are used for scouring utensils and polishing wood. The petioles 

 of Adiantum pedatum are used by the Indians for basket-work. 



The spores of Lycopodium clavatum and other species have 

 a pharmaceutical use for coating pills and other adhesive sur- 

 faces. The spores are also used as baby powder to prevent 

 chafing. The spore powder is highly inflammable and is used 

 in the manufacture of fireworks and the artificial representation 

 of lightning on the stage. Some species of Lycopodium, as L. 

 obscurum, are extensively used for Christmas decorations. 



A few of the ferns have a culinary value. The rhizome of 

 the eagle fern, Pteridium aquilinum, is gathered and boiled by 

 some savages and used as food. The succulent petioles of the 

 eagle fern also furnish an article of food. They should be 

 gathered just before the leaf-blade begins to unroll, an! after 

 cutting ofif the blade and the lower rather woody part and scrap- 

 ing ofif the bitter hairs and scales, they may be cooked much like 

 asparagus or greens. The taste is not unpleasant and is agree- 

 able to many persons. The petioles of the royal fern, Osmunda 

 regalis, are used in the same way. Other ferns are also used as 

 pot herbs. Among the more important are the cinnamon fern, 

 Osmunda cinnamomea ; Clayton's fern, Osmunda claytoniana ; 

 and the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris. The leaves are 

 collected just as they are unrolling and boiled as greens. 



